Bike More, Drive Less

The pandemic has resulted in a very significant increase in the number of bike commuters. This increase is brought by the lack of transportation due to the suspension of mass transport. An event unprecedented in the Philippines. What this shows is that the bicycle is a very effective machine against the pandemic. Anyone who has and knows how to ride a bicycle is not affected by the suspension of mass transportation.  A cyclist can get to work without worrying about the availability of public transport. 

Compared to a car, a bicycle makes you more connected to the world around you.  You do not feel isolated. You can feel everything. When I visited the newly opened Dolomite Beach in Manila, I saw several cyclists enjoying this man-made beach. This is what differentiates riding a bicycle. It makes you more connected to the environment. You get to appreciate things, you often not notice at all. 

When you bike more and drive less, you save on gas and expensive car maintenance.  Not using your car often means less wear and tear on your vehicle. Compared to the cost of maintaining your car, a bicycle is much cheaper and easier to maintain.  

The pandemic has forced everyone to stay at home. Now that certain restrictions are lifted, biking more will give you the opportunity to exercise. Try riding a bicycle to work at least once a week. Then see the difference. You will be surprised of how riding a bicycle can immediately lift your mood and give you that kind of inspiring feeling to get through your day. 

Traffic in Metro Manila and in other cities around the world has become worse. It is a problem that despite various solutions and schemes tried and experimented on by the government, traffic remained. It transformed major roads into huge parking lots. Only the onset of the pandemic and the resulting quarantine temporarily solved the traffic problem.  By using a bicycle more and driving less, you contribute to the solution of the problem.